Lichen Planus and Shin Guards

My son developed an inch wide, 1/2 inch in height rash on the shin of his leg.  It initially appeared as several red blotches (non-raised that I can remember) and has since merged into an overall reddish color.  His family practitioner diagnosed as Lichen Planus after looking in a dermatology book (having never seen the symptom before).  We are currently treating with a steroid cream for 21 days and then let things take their course according to medical advice.  

We can't think of any reason this rash would occur (no known cause in medical journals), but I have noticed the rash appeared soon after soccer season and seems to have been located where the bottom of his shin guards in soccer rested on the shin.  Internet research showed some connection between shin guards, urea-formaldehyde resin, and contact dermititis.  Is it possible that Lichen Planus was contracted through the same resin?

Thank you

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

How about the other leg? Was there any manifestation or reaction to the shinguard? Lichen Planus appears to be a reaction in response to more than one provoking factor. Theories include stress, genetics, viral or chemical reaction  and immunologic. There are also drugs that produce lichen planus-like allergic reactions to high blood pressure, heart disease, and arthritis medications. However, there is no known research that i am aware of that associates shin guard material to Lichen Planus. This condition  tends to be self-limiting but may recur after years. Take care and keep us posted.

[analyz007]

No there is no presence of a similar patch of Lichen Planus on the other leg.  Research on the issue mentions what you had discussed, several different causes.  Research also indicates that this is something that occurs later in life, and my son is 6.  Not to say that occurrences aren't seen in children, but sounds as if they are rare.  

I noticed an article about contact dermititis and shinguards, and thought perhaps there was some correlation to an allergic reaction to chemicals found in the shinguard.  As far as I remember, the patch appeared around the same time as participation in soccer and the wearing of the shinguard.

We will continue the steroid cream treatment, and wait for the patch to dissappear on its own.  Very strange to me how something would appear out of the blue.

[min2317]

my daughter was just diagnosed with lichen planus and after six weeks of treatmnet and changing meds twice we are now off to a skin specialist who will treat this aggressively.  She too plays soccer constantly and i also mentioned this fact to our current dermatologist who said he had never heard that could be a reason.  Was wondering how your son was doing and if you could be of any further help.